Residents of southern California should know better than anyone: movie star smiles are no accident. The next time you pick up a copy of “People” magazine or some other tabloid and look at the teeth of the stars, ask yourself, “Why are all their teeth so perfect, and so perfectly white?”

The answer is that the stars are often enlisting the help of a cosmetic dentist to fit them with either a veneer or a Lumineer, both of which have the effect of making your teeth appear whiter and straighter. The good news is that you don't have to go to Hollywood to find a skilled cosmetic dentist; you can find a trusted cosmetic dentist in Culver City at United Dental Care.

If you have decided to get veneers or Lumineers, cosmetic dentists at Culver City dentist can help you. Just call (310) 390-6000 and make an appointment.

Culver City Veneers

A porcelain veneer is similar to a crown. Like a crown, it fits over a tooth; also like a crown, it requires part of the tooth to be cut away to fit the new veneer. Compared to a crown, however, a veneer only covers the visible portion of the tooth, whereas a crown covers the entire tooth. Veneers are semi-permanent, usually lasting for about fifteen years before needing replacement.

Once dental veneers are installed, they will look very much like natural teeth. The porcelain versions of veneers resist stains better than the resin versions and look more natural. On the other hand, the resin veneers require less removal of the tooth surface than the porcelain version.

Culver City Lumineers

Lumineers are a new technology that do not remove any of the natural tooth surfaces but simply slip over the existing tooth. This can be a great advantage over a traditional veneer, because a veneer requires a great deal of the natural tooth to be removed. Lumineers require no shots or drilling, making them far less painful to install than a veneer. Lumineers are as thin as contacts, but have the same pleasing cosmetic effects as a veneer, and can be easily removed if the patient decides he or she does not like them. Like veneers, Lumineers are long-lasting, with a typical lifespan of about twenty years.

Get Advice from a Skilled Culver City Dentist

United Dental serves patients living in West Wood Village, Rancho Park, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Mar Vista, Fox Hills, West LA / West Los Angeles, West wood, Cheviot Hills, and Los Angeles. We will be happy to meet with you and discuss the best cosmetic dentistry procedures for your smile, and in particular we can advise if your teeth would be better served by a traditional veneer or a Lumineer.

An experienced Culver City Dentist at United Dental Care can provide you the treatments you need. Remember that when you keep to your regular checkups, you have a better chance of preventing dental problems.